The Small Business Association of Michigan's Small Business Weekly Podcast

Michael W. Rogers
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"The Small Business Association of Michigan's Entrepreneurial Insights" every week presents a dynamic audio interview from a top-notch expert on entrepreneurial success. Hear great tips and advice on how to be a more effective small business owner. The program is hosted and produced by the Small Business Association of Michigan's Vice President Communications Michael Rogers

  1. 1D AGO

    Embracing safe, secure and ethical AI for small businesses

    On today's program, Michael Rogers talks with Elizabeth Goede, founder & president of Ratliff Consulting, an Elite Member of the Small Business Association of Michigan. Ratliff Consulting is a strategic consultancy specializing in AI transformation through assessments, ready-made products, custom solutions, and AI education and training as part of their SPARK AI Lab™ division. Goede emphasizes that small business owners should embrace AI with a focus on safe, secure, and ethical implementation. And she says that the "future of AI is female," arguing that women's emotional intelligence and unique perspectives are crucial to rounding out technological development and reducing inherent algorithmic bias. "If I can make a difference where I can give the empowerment and confidence to even one more woman to use these tools, I'm happy," she says. The Small Business Association of Michigan is the only statewide and state-based association that focuses solely on serving the needs of Michigan's small business community. We have been successfully serving small businesses like yours in all 83 counties of Michigan since 1969. We're located in Lansing, just one block from the Capitol. Our mission is to help Michigan small businesses succeed by promoting entrepreneurship, leveraging buying power and engaging in political advocacy. When small businesses band together through the Small Business Association of Michigan, they achieve more than they could on their own.  Our 32,000 members are as diverse as Michigan's economy. From accountants to appliance stores, manufacturers to medical, and restaurants to retailers, what unites the SBAM membership is the spirit of entrepreneurship…a spirit that drove you to start and continue to operate your own business because you believe you can do something better than anyone else is doing it! (music licensed from www.jukedeck.com)

    12 min

  2. MAY 12

    Creating unique and successful sales growth strategies

    On today's program, Michael Rogers talks with SBAM leader Michael Koory, owner of growth advisory business Blue Salesfly in Grand Rapids. "I put three of my favorite things together in the name of the business," he says. "Blue ocean or blue sky thinking to help clients see where they could be growing. Sales has been my career so I love selling, and fly fishing is a passion of mine. So I put those three together to create more of a unique way of helping CEOs and company owners look at growth for their business." The Small Business Association of Michigan is the only statewide and state-based association that focuses solely on serving the needs of Michigan's small business community. We have been successfully serving small businesses like yours in all 83 counties of Michigan since 1969. We're located in Lansing, just one block from the Capitol. Our mission is to help Michigan small businesses succeed by promoting entrepreneurship, leveraging buying power and engaging in political advocacy. When small businesses band together through the Small Business Association of Michigan, they achieve more than they could on their own.  Our 32,000 members are as diverse as Michigan's economy. From accountants to appliance stores, manufacturers to medical, and restaurants to retailers, what unites the SBAM membership is the spirit of entrepreneurship…a spirit that drove you to start and continue to operate your own business because you believe you can do something better than anyone else is doing it! (music licensed from www.jukedeck.com)

    11 min

  3. MAY 6

    Dynamic events to drive audience and customer engagement

    On today's program, Michael Rogers talks with Kory Miller, Director of Business Development for Detroit-area based ShowReady, a VIP member of the Small Business Association of Michigan. It's woman-owned nationally certified WBENC event technology production company. Based in the Detroit area, services extend throughout the United States and globally with an experienced team of event engineers and experts. "We're in this whole world of AI and everything, but I don't think you'll ever replace the human touch," Miller says. The Small Business Association of Michigan is the only statewide and state-based association that focuses solely on serving the needs of Michigan's small business community. We have been successfully serving small businesses like yours in all 83 counties of Michigan since 1969. We're located in Lansing, just one block from the Capitol. Our mission is to help Michigan small businesses succeed by promoting entrepreneurship, leveraging buying power and engaging in political advocacy. When small businesses band together through the Small Business Association of Michigan, they achieve more than they could on their own.  Our 32,000 members are as diverse as Michigan's economy. From accountants to appliance stores, manufacturers to medical, and restaurants to retailers, what unites the SBAM membership is the spirit of entrepreneurship…a spirit that drove you to start and continue to operate your own business because you believe you can do something better than anyone else is doing it! (music licensed from www.jukedeck.com)

    10 min

  4. APR 21

    Human strategy and understanding of AI are crucial to modern marketing success

    On today's program, Michael Rogers talks with Tom Damitio, partner in Roots Marketing of Grand Rapids and a VIP member of the Small Business Association of Michigan. He discusses their approach to helping businesses grow through effective marketing strategies. Roots Marketing focuses on SEO, digital ads, web strategy, content, and print materials, emphasizing a tailored, measurable approach that involves continuous refinement and adaptation. Damitio also acknowledges the role of AI in enhancing marketing efficiency but stresses that human strategy and understanding remain crucial. "It's a tool, it doesn't replace a human entirely," he says. "It can't replace that full strategy, understanding the customer at a human level. The best marketing still comes from combining the two of those."   The Small Business Association of Michigan is the only statewide and state-based association that focuses solely on serving the needs of Michigan's small business community. We have been successfully serving small businesses like yours in all 83 counties of Michigan since 1969. We're located in Lansing, just one block from the Capitol. Our mission is to help Michigan small businesses succeed by promoting entrepreneurship, leveraging buying power and engaging in political advocacy. When small businesses band together through the Small Business Association of Michigan, they achieve more than they could on their own.  Our 32,000 members are as diverse as Michigan's economy. From accountants to appliance stores, manufacturers to medical, and restaurants to retailers, what unites the SBAM membership is the spirit of entrepreneurship…a spirit that drove you to start and continue to operate your own business because you believe you can do something better than anyone else is doing it! (music licensed from www.jukedeck.com)

    7 min

  5. APR 14

    Industry/higher ed partnerships for workforce development

    On today's program, Michael Rogers talks with Drew Petro, owner of Fortress Manufacturing in Benton Harbor. The firm was recently named to the list of Michigan 50 Companies to Watch for 2026. The company specializes in sheet metal and machining services, targeting order volumes of 1,000 to 12,000 pieces annually. Petro is committed to the importance of workforce development, particularly in trades, and praises local community colleges for their support. "Lake Michigan College, Southwest Michigan College, have been phenomenal between apprenticeship programs as well as providing funding for students, and just really trying to partner and make it a two way street between what the university or the colleges offer and what the industry needs," he says.  The Small Business Association of Michigan is the only statewide and state-based association that focuses solely on serving the needs of Michigan's small business community. We have been successfully serving small businesses like yours in all 83 counties of Michigan since 1969. We're located in Lansing, just one block from the Capitol. Our mission is to help Michigan small businesses succeed by promoting entrepreneurship, leveraging buying power and engaging in political advocacy. When small businesses band together through the Small Business Association of Michigan, they achieve more than they could on their own.  Our 32,000 members are as diverse as Michigan's economy. From accountants to appliance stores, manufacturers to medical, and restaurants to retailers, what unites the SBAM membership is the spirit of entrepreneurship…a spirit that drove you to start and continue to operate your own business because you believe you can do something better than anyone else is doing it! (music licensed from www.jukedeck.com)

    11 min

  6. APR 7

    Using commercial insurance to help optimize your business risk

    On today's program, Michael Rogers talks with Frank Cox, CEO of iCOR Solutions, a member of the 2026 Michigan 50 Companies to Watch list. Cox discusses the company's unique approach to commercial insurance, which focuses on improving capital and optimizing risk. "When we come into a business our first objective is to help them figure out are you in growth mode or do you want to be in growth mode? So we talk about how we help you improve your capital from that standpoint. That could be from strategic planning, leadership development, things of that nature. And then once we do that, we also look at how we can help you optimize your risk. Sometimes those things go together and we do both. Sometimes we do one or the other. So we're different.  The Small Business Association of Michigan is the only statewide and state-based association that focuses solely on serving the needs of Michigan's small business community. We have been successfully serving small businesses like yours in all 83 counties of Michigan since 1969. We're located in Lansing, just one block from the Capitol. Our mission is to help Michigan small businesses succeed by promoting entrepreneurship, leveraging buying power and engaging in political advocacy. When small businesses band together through the Small Business Association of Michigan, they achieve more than they could on their own.  Our 32,000 members are as diverse as Michigan's economy. From accountants to appliance stores, manufacturers to medical, and restaurants to retailers, what unites the SBAM membership is the spirit of entrepreneurship…a spirit that drove you to start and continue to operate your own business because you believe you can do something better than anyone else is doing it! (music licensed from www.jukedeck.com)

    11 min

  7. MAR 27

    Eat healthy foods, exercise and get good sleep – great advice for busy small business owners

    On today's program, Michael Rogers talks with Cheryl Tallman, CEO & Founder of Fresh Baby in Petoskey, recently named to the 2026 list of Michigan 50 Companies to Watch. Founded in 2002, Fresh Baby provides nutrition education for public health agencies. What kinds of actions does she recommend to small business owners if they want to stay healthy? "Obviously, the focus is to avoid processed foods," Tallman says. "A second thing that people can do is physical activity. We all know that we need to get up and move throughout the day. The goal should be 60 minutes of activity. And you can kind of divide that 60 minutes up into ten minute increments of getting yourself moving, get up from your desk, take a walk, go out at lunch, move around a little bit, dance, things like that. So eat real food, be active for 60 minutes a day, and then it is extremely important for us to get good sleep. Good sleep reduces stress." The Small Business Association of Michigan is the only statewide and state-based association that focuses solely on serving the needs of Michigan's small business community. We have been successfully serving small businesses like yours in all 83 counties of Michigan since 1969. We're located in Lansing, just one block from the Capitol. Our mission is to help Michigan small businesses succeed by promoting entrepreneurship, leveraging buying power and engaging in political advocacy. When small businesses band together through the Small Business Association of Michigan, they achieve more than they could on their own.  Our 32,000 members are as diverse as Michigan's economy. From accountants to appliance stores, manufacturers to medical, and restaurants to retailers, what unites the SBAM membership is the spirit of entrepreneurship…a spirit that drove you to start and continue to operate your own business because you believe you can do something better than anyone else is doing it! (music licensed from www.jukedeck.com)

    13 min

  8. MAR 24

    Woof! Mid-Michigan company honored for doggone good doggy daycare

    On today's program, Michael Rogers talks with Janice Milligan, President and Owner of Doggy Daycare and Spa -- selected as a Michigan 50 Company to Watch for 2026. The company operates two locations in the Greater Lansing area, offering daycare, boarding, and grooming services. Milliken attributes their success to a dedicated team and comprehensive training.  "The team members are trained, and so they know dog behavior, they know what to look for," she says. "The dogs are always supervised when they're together. We're very particular about our requirements, so we don't take just any dogs. The dogs that we're seeing are dogs that we know are going to be successful in our environment, so we're not having a lot of behavior issues." The Small Business Association of Michigan is the only statewide and state-based association that focuses solely on serving the needs of Michigan's small business community. We have been successfully serving small businesses like yours in all 83 counties of Michigan since 1969. We're located in Lansing, just one block from the Capitol. Our mission is to help Michigan small businesses succeed by promoting entrepreneurship, leveraging buying power and engaging in political advocacy. When small businesses band together through the Small Business Association of Michigan, they achieve more than they could on their own.  Our 32,000 members are as diverse as Michigan's economy. From accountants to appliance stores, manufacturers to medical, and restaurants to retailers, what unites the SBAM membership is the spirit of entrepreneurship…a spirit that drove you to start and continue to operate your own business because you believe you can do something better than anyone else is doing it! (music licensed from www.jukedeck.com)

    12 min
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"The Small Business Association of Michigan's Entrepreneurial Insights" every week presents a dynamic audio interview from a top-notch expert on entrepreneurial success. Hear great tips and advice on how to be a more effective small business owner. The program is hosted and produced by the Small Business Association of Michigan's Vice President Communications Michael Rogers

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